A small crowd had gathered, murmurs filled the air as they all stared at someone. I pushed forward, weaving through the bodies, moving closer to the scene and my eyes locked unto scared brown eyes.
One of the girls stood in front of the other. I could tell immediately she was the eldest. She held a surgical knife tightly in her hand, waving it around in warning, her stance defensive as she shielded her younger sister.
For someone who looked like she was on the brink of death minutes ago, she sure as hell had a lot of strength standing up so soon.
Strength?
It wasn't strength. It was will..
She was standing by the sheer force of will. There was that unmistakable fire in her eyes and it echoed one word.
I won't give in.
"Where's your boss?" she demanded, eyes searching the crowd in fear.
"Everyone leave," Michelle ordered.
Slowly the crowd began to disperse, low murmurs trailing behind them as they exited the room one after the other. The tension lingered even as the space emptied until at least the room settled. She moved to the door, shutting it firmly and came back to stand at my side.
"My name is Erica Nowells, I presume I'm the one you want to see" I said with a small smile.
Her eyes hardened, determined.
"I will not let you take us back," she screamed.
I raised a brow in interest.
Then walked to a chair and sat on it cross-legged. "What makes you think we'd take you back?" I asked.
She scoffed. "I know the laws miss Nowells, I came here in hopes that you'd do something but if you don't" she raised the knife to her throat. "I'll kill myself," her eyes hardened, her sister fisted her clothes in her tiny hands, too scared to speak.
"What would happen once Don Constiano hears his precious cargos died in the house of the Doves"
Oho… someone was an intelligent kid. She was just putting on a brave face, behind it all… I could see the fear in her eyes.
Oh well… seems like these two were going to be worth it at the end of the day.
"I could just lie to you and say I'd protect you, then we'd sedate and ship you both back to him" I said.
Fear flickered in her eyes briefly, then hardened again. "Which is why you'd make me a deal," she said.
"Hmm… interesting," I mused quietly. "Let's hear it"
"I don't care if you sell me off to someone else or you use me for your own gain but my sister stays out of this,"
Not very bright… she was desperate but not stupid at least.
"I'm still waiting for the part where this benefits me," I exhaled. "You know who you're asking me to go up against,"
Her lips pressed into a thin line. "I know a lot of things most people don't know about Don Constiano. I can help you bring him down"
Interesting…
Michelle and Aria's gaze moved to me in apprehension then back to the girl.
I simply stared at the girl, fingers curled underneath my chin in thought.
"Who are you to him?" I asked, finally.
She hesitated for a moment, eyes moving from one person to another.. till they finally settled on me.
"I'm his cougar," she said quietly.
Anger and disgust seeped into my blood and settled deep in my bones.
Fucking bastard.
"The situation just got a lot worse, miss," Aria said. "He's going to come for us harder than the last time, and this time… I don't think founding father Jacob would be there to help"
She was right… And still.
"How old are you?" I asked.
"Sixteen,"
My fingers scratched the chair as I tried my best to control my anger.
Oh how I wanted to kill him.
"Look… I just want my sister to be safe, I don't care what you use me for… please" she pleaded, eyes glinting with tears.
I cocked my head at Michelle, signaling at the girl … she moved towards the girl swiftly and pulled the knife out of her hand.
"What are you doing? Let me go?" She screamed.
Michelle let her go and moved back to where she stood, close to Aria.
The elder sister immediately pulled her younger sister close to her, this time her eyes radiated fear in full mode.
"Please don't take us back, no… you can take me back, but please leave my sister, please" she rambled. "He promised not to touch her if I was a good girl." She heaved, breath coming out in a strangled mess.
"I swear I wouldn't have left but he…" she paused, head lowered in pain, "I heard him talking to some man… he was going to sell Ame" she whimpered, squeezing her little sister's hand. "If I go back he'd leave her alone."
"You and I both know Don isn't that kind of man,"
He'd find them both and he'd ruin her sister in front of her to break her spirit.
He was a demon.
And demons were simple creatures who felt immense joy in doing everything wicked, especially to innocent souls.
"How did you two manage to get out of there, With all of Don's security, all the way from the US to Australia. As his cougar, I imagine security should be a lot stricter for you."
"I had help," she said quietly. "Some man named Ali, he sa-"
"Ali?" I repeated, frowning.
"Yes… he said you'd know him" she answered, with uncertainty twinkling in her eyes.
I chuckled, shaking my head softly in amusement.
Fucking Ali.
Always going MIA on me.
Not like I could blame him, he was a free spirit after all. Always off somewhere doing what he liked to call the lord's work.
Most of the people here came from Ali after all, so I was especially grateful for his services. And slightly indebted.
Most especially because they came free.